By AIP Bureau
Srinagar: Reiterating resolve of her party to get the grossly unfair water agreement with NHPC scrapped, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti demanded that state should be given right on its water to properly utilize to natural resources to make Jammu and Kashmir economically self-reliant.
“The PDP is committed to rectify the blunder committed by the successive National Conference regimes by surrendering natural resources of the State especially the water to the NHPC”, she reiterated while addressing one day convention of the party card holders at Awantipur.
“Compromising with the interests of the people of the State, National Conference government had bartered its natural resources just for the power”, she said while pointing towards the discriminatory agreement signed between the then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and then Union Power Minister P Kumaramanglam in the year 2002 when the State government had virtually surrendered its water to the NHPC. “Proper utilization of natural resources especially the water can make Jammu and Kashmir economic self reliant but due to the misdeeds of the successive National Conference regimes our State has to depend upon on Centre even for giving salaries to its employees”, she said and emphasized on the need of scarping agreement with NHPC for the economic growth of the State.
Pointing towards revolutionary steps taken by the previous PDP led regime in the State, Mehbooba said that it was during the regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that past glory of Awantipura-which was once capital of the State was restored. “Realizing historical importance of this town, the Islamic University was set up here during the regime of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed”, she said and expressed satisfaction that this highest institution has been emerging as important centre of learning in this region.
Coming down heavily on National Conference led coalition regime for its failure to solve day today problems of the common masses, PDP chief said that this government has lost its credibility due to anti-people policies being propagated by this dispensation. “Except promises nothing has been done so far in the last one hand half year to mitigate woes of the people”, she said and expressed her concern over shortage of ration and unprecedented power crises in the State.
Pointing towards problems being faced by the Saffron growers of Pampore, PDP chief regretted that government has failed to solve problems of the farmers. She demanded implementation of market intervention scheme to keep a check on those who have been selling mixed Saffron and harming interest of the genuine Saffron growers of this region. She also asked the government to take some effective steps to save Saffron growers of Pampore.
PDP chief also expressed her concern over inadequate compensation being given to the people whose land has been acquired by the authorities for widening of the road.